Attractions: In addition to more than 300 vehicles, including models not yet on the showroom floor, a number of different entertainment acts are featured. New this year is King Robota, an 8-foot robot. The American Red Cross will also conduct a blood drive during the show.

Cost: $5 admission for those 16 and older; children 15 and younger free with paid adult admission

As the organizer of the Central Illinois Auto Show for the past 24 years, Carl Bunker credits an experienced staff and the expanded Peoria Civic Center with making that job easier.

“The show’s grown over the years along with the Civic Center,” said Bunker, president of R&B Productions, speaking on Thursday from the floor of the center’s Exhibit Hall crowded with gleaming cars and trucks being put in position.

“We used to use the arena to display some of the vehicles, but we don’t need to now,” said Bunker, pointing to the sea of machines that fills the hall. “We still use the (Civic Center) Theater and hallways for displays.”

Bunker noted more than 300 vehicles will be available for public inspection when the show opens at noon Friday.

While Bunker is an old hand at working with the Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Association, the group that puts on the annual show, he wasn’t involved with the first car show held at the Civic Center.

Area car dealer Gary Uftring helped organize that first show along with Frank Weihmeir, a Morton auto dealer.

“It came about as a result of conversations on ways to improve the image of the auto industry and boost business in the spring. So we ran with it,” said Uftring.

“(Area dealers) had to do it ourselves at first because manufacturers were reluctant to commit.”

Even now that the central Illinois show is well established, only about 50 percent of the national manufacturers support it, said Uftring. “They look at Peoria as a secondary market, plus it’s so costly for them.”

But Uftring, who owns six dealerships in the area, says the Peoria show, with a lot of dealer support, holds up well in comparison with car shows he’s visited in cities such as Indianapolis, St. Louis and Phoenix.

“Carl Bunker does a phenomenal job in organizing things. After all, he’s got to deal with 33 dealers — all with sizable egos,” said Uftring, adding, “When (Bunker) started, his hair was dark. Now it’s white.”

Steve Tarter is Journal Star business editor. He can be reached at 686-3260 or starter@pjstar.com.